Russia in process of developing a super-sonic spacecraft

16 August 2003 15:05
Russian scientists design hyper-sound spacecraft

Russian scientists continue working on a project for designing a hyper-sound shuttle that can reach distant planets. “We are designing a spacecraft that will conduct multiple sorties to geo-stationary orbit at an altitude of 36,000 kilometres and return to a lower orbit or directly enter the Earth’s atmosphere and land with a parachute,” Vladimir Plokhikh, a specialist from the Central Aero- Hydro-Dynamic Institute, said on Thursday.

The spacecraft will reach a speed in the atmosphere exceeding the speed of sound by more than five times, Plokhikh noted. The craft will be used to service high-orbit communication satellites and prolong their life span, and will lower the cost of telecommunication services in the long run, he said. “At present, we can only speak of an unmanned craft. It can be upgraded later and used in manned flights to Mars. Specialists estimate that we will be able to conduct such flights after 2020,” he said.

Cosmonauts will not experience more G-load in the new spacecraft than in contemporary spacecraft, he said. “Excess G-load depends on the speed at which a ship enters the atmosphere. Cosmonauts will feel more comfortable in the hyper-speed spacecraft,” he said. The new spacecraft will be airlifted by either a disposable booster rocket for vertical launch or a horizontal launch system.

“We have analyzed the energy needs for conducting different maneuvers in outer space and drafted a tentative flight trajectory. The craft’s capacity and production problems are being discussed. Lack of financing is the main stumbling block and we hope that Russian businessmen will offer support,” he said.

http://www.gateway2russia.com/st/art_129411.php
http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/holnus/03161908.htm
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If anyone can do it, its Russia.